Physical Education

PHYSICAL EDUCATION                                                OCR              J587

Why study GCSE Physical Education?

You will enjoy this course and benefit from it if you have an interest in Physical Education, or are considering a career in Physiotherapy, the Fitness Industry, the Leisure Industry, Sports Psychology, Nutrition, becoming a Physical Education Teacher or if you are keen to specialise in Sports Injuries. In most cases, students who take A Level PE have studied it at GCSE.

How is it assessed?

Unit 1:  Physical factors affecting performance (30%)  

Written Paper:  1 hour

Students visit a variety of topics including the structure and function of the skeletal system, the structure and function of the muscular system, movement analysis, cardiovascular and respiratory system, effects of exercise on body systems, components of fitness, applying the principles of training, preventing injury in physical activity and training.

Unit 2:  Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology (30%)  

Written Paper:  1 hour  

Students visit a variety of topics including engagement patterns of different social groups in physical activities and sports, commercialisation of physical activity and sport, ethical and socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport, sports psychology, health, fitness and well-being, diet and nutrition.

Unit 3:  Performance in Physical Education (40%)

Candidates are required to provide video evidence of them playing/performing in competitive situations in and outside of school.  This is a requirement of the exam board and may be sent to the moderator to be assessed.  Students may begin collecting video evidence in the summer term before the course has begun due to seasonal sport restrictions.

Candidates can be assessed in a sport they pursue outside of school, provided it is on the list of approved activities which will be updated for candidates commencing the start of the course.

3.1         Performance of three activities:  one individual, one team and one from either list 

Individual sports:  Amateur boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Canoeing, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Figure Skating, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Rowing, Sailing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Trampolining, Boccia, Polybat, Windsurfing 

Team sports:   Acrobatic Gymnastics, Association Football, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Dance, Gaelic football, Figure Skating, Futsal, Goal ball, Handball, Hockey, Hurling, Ice Hockey, Inline Roller Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Rowing, Rugby League/Union, Squash, Sailing, Sculling, Table Cricket, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Blind Cricket, Powerchair Football, Wheelchair Basketball/Rugby, Water Polo.

Candidates can be assessed in a sport they pursue outside of school, provided it is on the list of approved activities which has been updated for candidates commencing the course in September 2022.  

3.2         Analysing and Evaluating Performance (AEP), 14 hours of written work to complete during lesson time.

How can I find out more?

See Mrs Sole-Bradley (Director of Sport), Miss Cross (KS4 PE Coordinator), your PE teacher or the PE Subject Ambassadors. Have a look at the OCR website where you will find the specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/physical-education-j587-from-2016/